The sudden touch isn't unwelcome, but it doesn't help her bite down the emotions at bay. The fact that she couldn't tell that little girl her Father wouldn't come back. All of those things she couldn't do--and yet she still could do something.

She stares down at her hands, her brows furrowed. "...I want to think they are. I think they will be---someday." Kaoru hoped that little girl would grow up strong, blanketed by the love of people she'd have to search for just as she herself had to have done--or maybe they'd just happen along like Kenshin and the others had--and all she'd have to do was open the door.

Either way, the triggers were deep for Kaoru today, and all she could do was wordlessly shake her head, a hand over her eyes.